Patrick A. Perfetti

Patrick Perfetti took office on January 1, 2017, as the elected District Attorney of Cortland County.

Upon taking office, he pledged to use a multi-faceted approach to combat drugs like heroin and methamphetamine, and to better engage open dialogue with the community through local schools and public outreach.

District Attorney Perfetti is a decorated combat veteran of the U.S. Navy. After enlisting the Naval Reserves in 1986 at the age of 22, he served two Tours of Duty in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2005-2007. While serving in Iraq, then-Commander Perfetti acted as the Legal Liaison Officer for the Multi-National Forces Iraq and was awarded the Department of Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Iraqi Campaign Medal and the Danish Contingency Medal. He retired from the Naval Reserve in 2014 after 27 years of service. He retains the rank of Commander in the New York Naval Militia.

A graduate of Homer High School, the College of St. Rose and Thomas M. Cooley Law School, District Attorney Perfetti entered private legal practice with his father, David Perfetti, in Cortland in 1997. They practiced together side-by-side until David’s passing in 2012.

D.A. Perfetti has also served as the municipal attorney for the Cuyler Fire District, Villages of Homer and McGraw, City of Cortland, and Town of Lapeer. Additionally, he has served as the Deputy Public Defender for Cortland County, is a Past President of the Cortland County Bar Association and is a former member of the Independent Judicial Elections Qualifications Commission. Early in his legal career, he also served as an Investigator and Staff Attorney for the Legal Aid Bureau in Buffalo, including time heading its Family Services Unit.

District Attorney Perfetti resides in Cortland with his wife, Carol, and their two children, Vincenzo and Giovanna.